It's been officially 9 days since we began our potty training adventure with M. It actually began sooner than expected, yet right on time if that makes any sense. It doesn't? Well, let me explain.
My three older kids all potty trained successfully 3 months after their third birthday. I don't know why, it just happened that way. It's been nice and super duper easy, if I say so myself. Even the staying dry at night has been easy and came pretty quickly too. H actually only had one accident during the night ever and that was due to daddy giving her a full (adult size full) glass of cherry kool-aid before bed. I think when M is completely potty trained I will write a post with what I've learned through potty training 4 kids. Right now I'll get back to M.
So M turned 3.3 in August but I figured I'd start with him once school started when I could give him my full attention. That's one reason it's right on time. The other reason is that right before we started, he had an awful diaper rash. His little bum is very sensitive so when he gets a rash it's quite the set of steps to help it get better. We use lotrimin, antibacterial ointment with pain relief and diaper cream. It takes awhile all the time so this time I told M that one thing that will help him feel better is wearing underwear. He said, "Potty training!" He was more excited than I expected, but I think he just wanted his little bum to feel better. So Monday, we began potty training. It was hit or miss (pun intended). He went potty a couple time in the toilet and even pooped though, to be fair, that was an accident since he was trying so hard to pee. Monday it was floor - 2 Toilet -2. Not bad for a first day. Tuesday went very similar to Monday. By Wednesday, M was really beginning to get the hang of the pee feeling and going potty. Saturday we went to a park to see an old car show and he wore underwear the whole time and stayed dry! Sunday he wore a pull up to Sunday School and stayed dry the whole time! Way to go M!!
Now 9 days later, he is still insisting on wearing undies during the day. We wear pull-ups at nap time and diapers at night time. More on that in my lessons learned post.
Now on to why it was sooner than expected. It came sooner than expected because, even though I had intended to start potty training once school started, I kept putting it off. I kept thinking, I'll get through the first week of school first. Which I did. I never intended to start the second week of school either. He's my baby and that is one more "baby" thing that he would be moving out of. It's kind of bittersweet. Not that I will miss diaper changes because I won't. It means he's growing up and getting older. I want him to stay this little forever. So that's why it came sooner than expected, but I guess that's a good thing. If it weren't for his sore bum, I don't know that I would've started potty training anytime in the near future.
One funny thing about M's sore bum. We went to church the infamous Sunday we decided to potty train and he kept waddling because his butt hurt. Anyone we stopped to talk to, he would point to his butt and say, "Butt hurts." That was a nice thing to have conversation about. :) Out of the mouths of babes!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Prayers for my kids
Today I was enjoying some quiet time before my children woke up for day #2 of school. I have this book sitting on the table beside my bed called A Mother's prayers for Her Children by Nancy Ann Yaeger. I came across this book at a Moms in Touch conference a few years ago. It was a cute book and I loved the scripture references and how the book was organized and it gave me a bunch of scripture in one place to pray over my children.
I have used it here and there and it's a wonderful tool to use as I prayed scripture for my kids. Today I decided to pick a verse for each child and pray that for at least the month of September. Come October, I will choose a different verse or use the same one. I haven't quite decided.
As I paged through each page and looked at the verses, it would just hit me that that verse is one for that child. I picked one that reflected what I hoped for them as well as something they can claim for where they are at right now.
For M I chose Proverbs 16:20 nrsv: Happy are those who trust in the Lord. I want him to grow knowing that as he puts his trust in God he will find true happiness. He is already such a happy little guy, but it's not too early for him to learn that happiness comes to those who trust in Him.
K's verse is about guarding the tongue. Proverbs 21:23 says He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. I want K to remember that the words he says cannot be taken back. I want him to chose words that lift up and encourage rather than hurt and tear down.
Picking T's verse was the hardest. Once I found out, I just knew that it was the verse to pray for him starting out.
With ADHD, it's very hard for him to fit in. He finds himself pestering others and sometimes his lack of ability to focus causes others to get easily annoyed with him. He told us yesterday that he played with an aide on the playground rather than join the other boys who were playing football. Now I'm sure there were other boys running around and playing but the boys he wanted to hang out with were playing football. It breaks my heart to know he isn't joining in with the other kids. I want him to feel like he fits in. I want him to be confident in himself and who God created him to be. I don't want him going through the school year sitting on the sidelines or playing with a teacher because there's no one else to play with.
I found page 294. At the top it says Fellow Citizen. The verse is Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household. The caption in the middle of the page says Children worry about being excluded or not picked for a team. God has chosen everyone who believes in him as a fellow citizen and member of his household. So assure your children that they are part of the most important team, God's team. The prayer at the end said, "Thank you, God, that my children are part of your family and members of your household. Amen."
I can't make other kids want to play with T. I can't make his ADHD go away so that he will blend in with other boys. I can't make T like football and I can't be there everyday on the playground to make sure T has someone to play with. Instead of dwelling on what I can't do, I can choose to focus on what I can do. I can pray for him. I can encourage him to reach out of his comfort zone and try something new or talk to a kid he doesn't know. I can find creative ways to help him deal with the awkwardness of ADHD. I can lift him up and help build confidence in him that he is a wonderful boy with a big kind heart. I can remind T that he is loved always by his family and that he is part of the family of God, which is most important. If you are reading this please pray for T to make one good and dear friend at school. Pray that his confidence in himself comes from God and not from what others think of him.
H has struggled with the vastness of God. Don't we all at some point? Well, she's so honest with her dad and I about it and I am thankful for the communication that we have together. I found a verse for her to claim when she doubts and wants to overcome her unbelief. Mark 9:24 says I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief. I want her to know that unbelief is normal and that when finds herself wondering "is God really real?" or doubting her faith, that she can confess it and God will come to her aid and help her overcome her unbelief.
I then came across a verse that I am going to pray over them as they head out the door for the bus each morning. It's Proverbs 3:26 and says For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. I loved the picture this verse gives. If we let God be our confidence and not look for our confidence in what others think of us, it will keep us out of trouble. I think we tend to find trouble when we do things for the acceptance of others. I want my children to know where their confidence comes from. I want them to know who it is that God created them to be. I want them to keep their feet on level paths and not wander into trouble because they want someone to like them.
I am so thankful for the word of God. I am thankful that His word is living and active and that I can claim scripture over my kids and it will not return void.
I have used it here and there and it's a wonderful tool to use as I prayed scripture for my kids. Today I decided to pick a verse for each child and pray that for at least the month of September. Come October, I will choose a different verse or use the same one. I haven't quite decided.
As I paged through each page and looked at the verses, it would just hit me that that verse is one for that child. I picked one that reflected what I hoped for them as well as something they can claim for where they are at right now.
For M I chose Proverbs 16:20 nrsv: Happy are those who trust in the Lord. I want him to grow knowing that as he puts his trust in God he will find true happiness. He is already such a happy little guy, but it's not too early for him to learn that happiness comes to those who trust in Him.
K's verse is about guarding the tongue. Proverbs 21:23 says He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. I want K to remember that the words he says cannot be taken back. I want him to chose words that lift up and encourage rather than hurt and tear down.
Picking T's verse was the hardest. Once I found out, I just knew that it was the verse to pray for him starting out.
With ADHD, it's very hard for him to fit in. He finds himself pestering others and sometimes his lack of ability to focus causes others to get easily annoyed with him. He told us yesterday that he played with an aide on the playground rather than join the other boys who were playing football. Now I'm sure there were other boys running around and playing but the boys he wanted to hang out with were playing football. It breaks my heart to know he isn't joining in with the other kids. I want him to feel like he fits in. I want him to be confident in himself and who God created him to be. I don't want him going through the school year sitting on the sidelines or playing with a teacher because there's no one else to play with.
I found page 294. At the top it says Fellow Citizen. The verse is Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household. The caption in the middle of the page says Children worry about being excluded or not picked for a team. God has chosen everyone who believes in him as a fellow citizen and member of his household. So assure your children that they are part of the most important team, God's team. The prayer at the end said, "Thank you, God, that my children are part of your family and members of your household. Amen."
I can't make other kids want to play with T. I can't make his ADHD go away so that he will blend in with other boys. I can't make T like football and I can't be there everyday on the playground to make sure T has someone to play with. Instead of dwelling on what I can't do, I can choose to focus on what I can do. I can pray for him. I can encourage him to reach out of his comfort zone and try something new or talk to a kid he doesn't know. I can find creative ways to help him deal with the awkwardness of ADHD. I can lift him up and help build confidence in him that he is a wonderful boy with a big kind heart. I can remind T that he is loved always by his family and that he is part of the family of God, which is most important. If you are reading this please pray for T to make one good and dear friend at school. Pray that his confidence in himself comes from God and not from what others think of him.
H has struggled with the vastness of God. Don't we all at some point? Well, she's so honest with her dad and I about it and I am thankful for the communication that we have together. I found a verse for her to claim when she doubts and wants to overcome her unbelief. Mark 9:24 says I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief. I want her to know that unbelief is normal and that when finds herself wondering "is God really real?" or doubting her faith, that she can confess it and God will come to her aid and help her overcome her unbelief.
I then came across a verse that I am going to pray over them as they head out the door for the bus each morning. It's Proverbs 3:26 and says For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. I loved the picture this verse gives. If we let God be our confidence and not look for our confidence in what others think of us, it will keep us out of trouble. I think we tend to find trouble when we do things for the acceptance of others. I want my children to know where their confidence comes from. I want them to know who it is that God created them to be. I want them to keep their feet on level paths and not wander into trouble because they want someone to like them.
I am so thankful for the word of God. I am thankful that His word is living and active and that I can claim scripture over my kids and it will not return void.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The first day of school
So today was the first day of school. The day started off really good. Well actually we started it off on the right foot last night. It had been quite the hectic weekend with boys that were wilder than usual. So at dinner we talked about evening and bedtime routines. Later we read a Bible Story and ate chocolate ice cream. We prayed for each other and talked about what we were concerned about for the first day of school.
This morning went really smoothly. I woke up early and showered. Then the kids began to wake up. I made pancakes and finished packing lunches. My wonderful hubby was home to see the kids off on their first day. It's a tradition that we started when he was in school. He'd take the day off to rest up for the evening of classes. We just have kept the tradition going.
After everyone was fed and dressed for school we took the traditional pictures and headed off to the bus stop for more pictures.
This morning went really smoothly. I woke up early and showered. Then the kids began to wake up. I made pancakes and finished packing lunches. My wonderful hubby was home to see the kids off on their first day. It's a tradition that we started when he was in school. He'd take the day off to rest up for the evening of classes. We just have kept the tradition going.
After everyone was fed and dressed for school we took the traditional pictures and headed off to the bus stop for more pictures.
Once the kids were on the bus we hopped in the car and headed over to the school to see them get off the bus and give them hugs before they headed off to class. T wouldn't let me give him another hug because I already gave him one. After we hugged, we sent them on their way, while M, hubby, and I went enjoyed a low key and quiet day together. We bought some new shoes for Micah, and we got a few groceries. We came home, but out some fall candle holders and lazed around the house.
All in all 7th grade, 5th grade, and 1st grade went really well! They all came home happy and full of stories. We celebrated with Davannis pizza and pop for dinner. For dessert we had funfetti brownies that M and I made earlier this afternoon. We chatted about ways we saw God answer our prayers today. Each of the kids said that God answered their prayers to not be nervous, to be good, and to make new friends. M said that God answered his prayer to play with mama.
One more thing - when we asked K how his day was he replied, "It was great! I didn't get into any trouble OR go to the prinicpal's office."
Friday, September 3, 2010
It was bound to happen
Well it happened. We knew it would happen to one of our boys eventually. What you ask? Why a broken bone of course! Who broke a bone? K broke a bone. His wrist to be exact. And it's technically called a buckle fracture. It mainly happens to children when they fall on the end of a bone such as a leg or arm. Most of the time it's near the wrist. Basically since their bones are so soft the bone smushes up and kind of makes a lump on the side. So there is not a crack in the bone (thankfully) and it will heal up just fine (thankfully).
It happened Tuesday. The kids ate lunch and I thought I would surprise them by taking them to Chutes and Ladders. It's a huge play structure with lots of slides and climbing stuff. We were there about 15 minutes when K was crying because he fell. It's hard to explain but he basically tripped and fell and landed with his wrist bent inward. I didn't even have time to take pictures. Well I got one of M but I don't even know if it turned out. K was crying and wanted to go home so we all went home. We were gone about 50 minutes total.
I called the Pediatrician and they said that since it didn't look broken or bruised and swollen, I could bring K home and put ice on it and try ibuprofen. So we did and he seemed fine. He didn't cry much, I gave him medicine for pain, and we put ice on it.
The next morning he couldn't hold a spoon or a pencil and he couldn't squeeze my finger with a tight grip. I called the Dr. since he was favoring his hand. The took and x ray and sure enough - buckle fracture. We got in to an orthopedist that afternoon and they promptly put a cast on K's arm.
The Dr. said that K will more than likely only need to wear a cast for about 3 weeks. There shouldn't be an problems with it healing up and a cast just helps keep his wrist stable and comfortable.
K is doing very good with his cast. It's been signed by the whole family and he's being very patient with all the itchiness he feels at times. He's been good at using a wooden spoon to reach the itches and he's been good at keeping it dry.
After he got the cast on we went to Target for treats like I promised. As we walked through Target, he walked through the store with is hand held out front of him to show off his cast. He even hoped that a Target worker would sign his cast. That didn't happen because mommy hadn't signed it first. :)
It happened Tuesday. The kids ate lunch and I thought I would surprise them by taking them to Chutes and Ladders. It's a huge play structure with lots of slides and climbing stuff. We were there about 15 minutes when K was crying because he fell. It's hard to explain but he basically tripped and fell and landed with his wrist bent inward. I didn't even have time to take pictures. Well I got one of M but I don't even know if it turned out. K was crying and wanted to go home so we all went home. We were gone about 50 minutes total.
I called the Pediatrician and they said that since it didn't look broken or bruised and swollen, I could bring K home and put ice on it and try ibuprofen. So we did and he seemed fine. He didn't cry much, I gave him medicine for pain, and we put ice on it.
The next morning he couldn't hold a spoon or a pencil and he couldn't squeeze my finger with a tight grip. I called the Dr. since he was favoring his hand. The took and x ray and sure enough - buckle fracture. We got in to an orthopedist that afternoon and they promptly put a cast on K's arm.
The Dr. said that K will more than likely only need to wear a cast for about 3 weeks. There shouldn't be an problems with it healing up and a cast just helps keep his wrist stable and comfortable.
K is doing very good with his cast. It's been signed by the whole family and he's being very patient with all the itchiness he feels at times. He's been good at using a wooden spoon to reach the itches and he's been good at keeping it dry.
After he got the cast on we went to Target for treats like I promised. As we walked through Target, he walked through the store with is hand held out front of him to show off his cast. He even hoped that a Target worker would sign his cast. That didn't happen because mommy hadn't signed it first. :)
K waiting in the waiting room before his cast. He truly is a ham. Love that boy!
He wanted one more picture taken and this time he wanted to look so somber
His after picture. I didn't feel right taking a picture in the Dr. office so I waited. He's still checking it out and getting used to it. He thought it was cool that the cast was getting harder.
Yep, he's loving it! He thinks having a cast is pretty cool. He even told papa later that the girls will really love him now!
K eating his treats. He said he wasn't going to share. I told him he didn't have to share because it's not every day you get a cast. His reply was, "Yeah, every day you have a cast you get treats"
Not really, but nice try.
He ended up sharing the sour patch kids with his big brother. What a nice boy. He also picked out a baby bottle sucker and ring pop. When papa came home, he gave Ke a card with a doggy on it and another box of sour patch kids. He was stoked!
It was bound to happen to one of our boys. We knew it would be T or K. Funny thing is, K wasn't doing anything dangerous or "Dare devilish" at all. He was just running and climbing. I am just hoping there are no more broken bones anytime soon.